Taking Flight

Not even a month after moving out franchise centerpiece Kevin Love, Trieu was on the move again. This time they flipped two for one, acquiring a top five fantasy talent to replace Love: the explosive Russell Westbrook. The Thunder guard has been tremendous this year, with averages of 22.5 PTS, 8.1 AST, 5.2 REB, 2.0 STL, and even 1.3 3PT, a new gadget in his repertoire. In exchange, Funk Coalition received Josh Smith and Andre Drummond.

Smith was touted to have a breakout year but has been slow to start, with only 16.9 PTS despite the absence of Joe Johnson from the Hawks. Smith's other numbers have been superb though, as his 8.5 REB, 4.0 AST, 2.2 BLK, and 1.3 STL makes him a unique force. Trading away Smith marks the end of championship era 1.0 for Trieu, as they won their SlamNation crown behind Lebron, Smith, and Gerald Wallace back in 2010.

Now, with Westbrook and a plethora of guards, they are leaning more heavily toward a traditional small ball formation. Westbrook, Stephen Curry, Damian Lillard, Monata Ellis, and Klay Thompson will be the force that drives the evolving Sour Snails toward another championship. Having taken control of the Silverhawks division with just a few regular season weeks to go, Trieu is looking for a deep post-season run.

As for Jon, the loss of Rajon Rondo has dampened his championship hopes so he's in retool mode, despite likely heading toward the playoffs. And while he appreciates the wonder that is Russell Westbrook -- acquired in 2011 -- the fit on the team wasn't quite right. Westbrook's 42.5 FG% didn't sit well with management and Jon had long coveted Josh Smith's defensive stats from the small forward position.

Since acquiring Rondo and Dwight Howard, Funk Coalition had been leaning in a decidedly defensive direction. Adding an athletic piece in Drummond, averaging 8.0 REB, 1.8 BLK, 1.3 STL last month before he went down with injury, will insure that Funk can sew up the STL and BLK categories. Plus, Drummond is excited to get some free throw tips from both Rondo and Dwight. Games of knock out on this squad take forever, as you can imagine.

Further moves are expected from both teams.